Alexander Zverev emerged victorious against Ben Shelton in the U.S. Open men’s singles final, securing his second Grand Slam title. Earlier this year, Zverev had achieved his first major triumph at the French Open. As the top seed for the first time in a Grand Slam, Zverev took advantage of Shelton’s early struggles in the final. The match concluded with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2.
Shelton, making his debut in a major final, faced a challenging start. Despite a valiant effort and support from the crowd, he could not overcome Zverev’s strong performance. Earlier, Shelton had defeated fellow American Francis Tiafoe in the semifinals and was aiming to become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam. His appearance also marked him as the first Black American man in a U.S. Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
Zverev’s victory was somewhat anticlimactic for him personally, as he did not immediately realize he had won. It was only after a few moments of confusion that he celebrated his victory. The final took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 13, 2026.
The match displayed Zverev’s adeptness in critical moments, particularly during the tiebreaker. Shelton’s attempt to rally in the third set showcased his potential but was eventually overshadowed by Zverev’s consistency and skill.